Chapter 427: Strive to Act According to One’s True Heart

After the imperial examinations, the Hanlin Academy would conduct its own selection process. Although the top three candidates usually remained in the Hanlin Academy, without this additional test, it seemed as though their positions lacked legitimacy. Thus, even though there had been widespread calls for honest advice after the destruction of the three main halls earlier that year, by early May, the scholars who had just passed the examinations continued to study intensively until the tests were over before they could relax. Seeing this, those who had graduated from the Hanlin Academy and been appointed officials in the previous round naturally recalled their own experiences.

Zhang Yue’s small courtyard in Xipailou Alley had been renovated at the beginning of the year and now looked brand new. Although Zhang Yue had jokingly suggested to Wan Shijie Xia Jiti that they could build two gatehouses with plaques hanging on them, the two immediately saw through this bad idea. Today, as it was a day off for the Imperial Academy, Zhang Jiu came here to talk to Fang Jing. Coincidentally, both Wan Shijie and Xia Jiti were at home, so the four of them set up a round table in the courtyard. Wan Shijie tested Zhang Jiu and Fang Jing’s academic work, after which they began chatting cheerfully.

“I’m not like those fools who pretend to be something they’re not. As soon as they’re promoted from scholar to official, they rush to rent large houses and hang up the sign of some noble family, without any sense of shame! I’ve long realized that relying solely on passing exams to become an official and expect to be obeyed by everyone is nothing but delusion. Only by achieving military merits and receiving titles is it possible. Fortunately, I never had such great ambitions, nor did I plan to become a high-ranking official. As long as I can live a life that satisfies my conscience, that’s enough!”

Xia Jiti rarely heard Wan Shijie speak so seriously. He couldn’t help but reach out to touch his forehead. Only after being slapped away by Wan Shijie did he laugh. “I thought Brother Wan had a fever—how upright you are! But then again, seeing those scholars focusing so much on the Hanlin Academy’s selection process reminds me of that incident back then. Do you remember? Yuan Jie missed it because he was sick, but that day when we went out together, we were teased by others, forcing him to write a brilliant essay on the spot.”

Zhang Jiu had heard about that old incident, but Fang Jing was curious and kept asking questions. So, Wan Shijie couldn’t help but laughingly recount the story of “Zhang Yuanjie Writing at Fangyuan Tower, Three Scholars Fleeing in Disgrace.” Seeing Zhang Jiu and Fang Jing so excited, Xia Jiti turned his head to cover his eyes, thinking that if Zhang Yue were here and saw them being influenced by such people, he would surely be furious. Yet, just as he was lost in his thoughts, a voice suddenly came from behind.

“When did that restaurant change its name to Fangyuan Tower? And what exactly is ‘chicken intestine’?”
“The so-called Fangyuan Tower refers naturally to Yuanjie’s broad-mindedness. As for ‘chicken intestine,’ it obviously refers to those three scholars with narrow minds! So, Xiao Si and Xiao Fang, you two must remember that one’s ability level depends on others and shouldn’t be forced, but one’s breadth of mind can be cultivated. If someone is more talented than you, you should admire their skills and seek their guidance sincerely; if you see someone with better circumstances, you should be happy for them and use it as an opportunity to reflect on yourself; if someone provokes you first…”
Wanshijie cleared his throat lightly and then said excitedly, “When faced with provocation, don’t be polite—use every means at your disposal to win. Modesty is for those worthy of respect, but when dealing with fools, you must teach them a lesson so they dare not act arrogantly!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt someone pulling at his sleeve. It was Zhang Jiu. Smiling, he said, “Xiao Si, is there anything else you don’t understand? Feel free to ask. Since your third brother entrusted you to us, we treat you like our own brother. You’re only a year younger than Xiao Xia, but you’re already an adult—so you need to learn how to conduct yourself properly.”
“Elder Wan, I was just saying that my third brother is right behind you…”
Seeing Wanshijie scrambling to stand up, Zhang Yue felt both annoyed and amused. When he saw Zhang Jiu about to get up to make room, he waved his hand to stop him. Then he shook his head and said, “I happened to have some free time this afternoon, so I thought I’d come by. Who knew Old Wan would start another long speech, full of such rhetoric… But your point about not forcing one’s ability level is good. Fourth brother, Xiao Fang, remember to learn from Elder Wan’s breadth of mind and character—definitely not his other bad habits!”
“You really are, Yuanjie—coming here right away to belittle me!” Wanshijie knew full well that Zhang Yue was joking. Seeing Xia Ji and Zhang Jiu laughing heartily, he wasn’t annoyed either. Instead, he smiled sarcastically and said, “I’m not like you, Yuanjie. I have a whole family behind me, so I have to think carefully before doing anything. You have a gentle nature, while I’m more unrestrained—so I don’t bother smoothing out my edges just for others’ opinions. It doesn’t matter whether one is a high-ranking official or not; as long as one acts according to their true heart, that’s enough!”

“I knew you’d say that. We’ve known each other for three or five years now—who doesn’t know that your temper isn’t something that can’t be changed, but rather something you refuse to change?” Seeing Fang Jing quickly bring out a bamboo chair from inside, Zhang Yue hurriedly nodded in thanks before sitting down. “People with such genuine tempers as yours are as rare as national treasures these days. I have no intention of making you change your temper. Enough chatter—today’s list of those selected for the Hanlin Academy has been released.”

Hua Ji immediately became interested upon hearing this. “Oh, how many people were selected in total?”

“Among the top three, the first-place winner, Zeng Heling, was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, while the second and third place winners were appointed as editors. Then, a total of fifteen more scholars, including Wei Shu and Chen Rong, were selected as Shujishi. As for the other Jinshi…” Zhang Yue paused before adding with a wry smile, “All the remaining Jinshi were ordered to return to their hometowns to continue their studies for future use.”

At these words, not only was Hua Ji stunned speechless, but Fang Jing and Zhang Jiu were also shocked. Excluding the top three and the fifteen Shujishi, there were still at least over a hundred Jinshi left. Were they all being sent back to their hometowns to wait for further assignment? It should be noted that since the imperial examinations began in the second year of the Yongle era, those who failed the selection usually stayed in various government departments to study governance before being appointed to official positions. In the tenth year of Yongle, the Jinshi from the second and third tiers even stayed in the Ministry of Punishments and the Censorate to handle legal matters. It was only this year that they were sent back to study. Thinking of the incident involving the destruction of the three main halls and the subsequent uproar caused by outspoken opinions, Wan Shijie couldn’t help but frown.

“Because of the celestial warnings, the emperor was already angry. I heard that a few Jinshi also submitted petitions to speak out freely—was that probably the trigger for this?”

“Maybe.”

Although Zhang Yue despised those who slandered others for fame, he still found it hard to believe that all the Jinshi who didn’t make it as Shujishi were simply sent back to their hometowns. It also came as a surprise to him that Yu Qian hadn’t been selected as a Shujishi. After all, when he visited Du Zhen earlier, Du Zhen had mentioned that Yang Shiqi had highly praised Yu Qian’s literary talent after the imperial examinations. Puzzled, he realized that gold would eventually shine, so he changed the subject and glanced at Wan Shijie.

“Old Wan, although you’re off today, I need your help tonight. There’s a lot of military activity in Xinghe recently. Minister Fang specifically instructed us to keep more people on duty. The other two in our department are busy, so you and I will have to stay tonight. If anything happens over there, it might cause chaos if we’re only one person to handle it—it’s better to prepare in advance.”

“This trouble in the south isn’t over yet, and now there’s chaos in the north too—what the hell!” Wan Shijie complained, then stood up, stretched, nodded at Xia Ji, patted Zhang Jiu and Fang Jing on the heads, and said with a smile, “Though it’s rare to get half a day off, I can’t just sit back while Yuan Jie is busy. This afternoon, let Xia take you out for a good walk; Yuan Jie and I will head back to the Ministry of War!”
Seeing Wan Shijie talking to himself, Zhang Yue quickly interrupted, “Old Wan, don’t get it wrong—I meant tonight!”
“I know your temper well. If there really was nothing, why would you go out of your way to see me, who’s on leave? You refuse even to have subordinates who can work hard for you—how peculiar!”
Wan Shijie deliberately emphasized the word “subordinates” before pulling Zhang Yue along and heading outside. After leaving the second gate, he sent Zhang Yue away first, then went to the stables to get his horse and exit through the side gate. Zhang Yue, waiting at the main gate, saw him mount his horse swiftly and then ride over to join him, asking mysteriously what was going on, with a helpless expression on his face.
“You’re clearly the most meticulous person. If anyone saw your carefree appearance and thought you really had that kind of temperament, they’d surely be deceived. To be honest, today the Ministry of War has been in an uproar because of a petition from the King of Han. Everyone knows the King of Han was once a brave general on the battlefield, but this time, relying on that, he submitted a petition criticizing the Ministry of War harshly, saying that when the emperor established the army, he didn’t need any useless civil officials, and battles were always won. Now, with the Ministry of War, military operations in both the north and south are going poorly. Minister Fang is so angry he’s lost his head; he’s been angry all morning.”
“What did the emperor say?”
“I heard the emperor tore up the petition in anger, and his furious shouts could be heard clearly even outside the Qianqing Palace.”
Hearing this, Wan Shijie shrugged indifferently, “It’s not the first time the emperor gets angry over the King of Han. Although this time his words were harsh, the Ministry of War can only endure it. After all, it’s still those old nobles who fight in battles, with us civil officials just coordinating in the middle… Anyway, the King of Han is far away in Shandong. He can say whatever he wants, but we can’t control him, and he can’t control what we do!”
“If only everyone could be as open-minded as you!”

Zhang Yue sincerely sighed. Seeing Wan Shijie’s complacent expression, he immediately gave up the idea of praising him any further and rode off irritably. Wan Shijie chuckled and then spurred his horse to chase after them. As for Hu Qi, who trailed like a shadow, he didn’t start chasing until the two in front had been gone for quite some time.
These two had completely opposite temperaments—how could they get along so well?